Notes:
Former journalist from Austria, Dieter Stappert led the BMW Motorsport before moving to motorcycle racing, becoming a successful team manager in the World Championship since the 1980s.

Stappert was the editor of Swiss Motorsport magazine "Powerslide", now known as "Motorsport Aktuell". In 1977 he moved to BMW Motorsport, re-organising the BMW's Touring Car program. He created the BMW Junior Team which brought the likes of Marc Surer, Eddie Cheever and Manfred Winklehock through the ranks and all eventually into Formula 1. In 1980 he became the Competitions Director, responsible for BMW's Formula 1 program. His best achievements occurred in 1983 when Nelson Piquet became the Formula 1’s first ever turbo-powered World Champion, driving a Brabham BT52 - BMW.

In 1986 Stappert became the responsible for German tobacco brand HB’s entire motorsport program. He managed the HB 250 cm³ motorcycle team. From 1997 Stappert ran the team all by himself and was at the helm of the Yamaha Indonesia Team. A number of famous motorcycle aces such as Ralf Waldmann, Stefano Perugini, Helmut Bradl, Stefan Prein and others raced for his team.

Dieter Stappert suffered a heart attack at Munich airport on his way to the British Grand Prix at Donington on 18 June 2008. He was in a coma until he passed away on Friday, 17 October 2008. Four days after his 66th birthday.

Career Summary:

• Magazine Motosprint, issue 21 October 2008, page 51.
• Website Dieter Stappert, page http://www.dieter-stappert.com/ .
• Website Autosport, article "Dieter Stappert, 1942-2008" by Toby Moody, page http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/71507 .
• Website Grandprix.com, page http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns20908.html .
• Website Motor Sport Aktuell, page http://www.motorsport-aktuell.com/grand-prix/news/dieter-stappert-gestorben-7165.html .